Chess Puzzle #03XPS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c1; rooks c2/c7; pawns a3/b5/h2. Black: king b8; queen d4; rook d3; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/d5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook d3→d1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight e7→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c2→c8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/ppR1n2p/6p1/1P1p4/3q4/P2r4/2R4P/1KQ5 b - - 1 35

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